Josh Rogers talks about new ESL R1 Championship & going against Verstappen

Joshua Rogers is a huge name in the world of SIM Racing and eSports. A winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans Virtual, a two time winner of the Porsche TAG Heuer Esports Supercup and the 2019 VRS GT iRacing World Champion, Rogers has taken on some of the best in the business. However, the biggest name he's gone up against is none other than F1 World Champion Max Verstappen.

On most occasions seeing the Dutchman's name on the start list would be a daunting prospect, but for Rogers it was just another name.

"Obviously it's eye opening for me but I like to just think of it as going up against any other competitor," Rogers explained in an exclusive interview with GPblog.

SIM racing and Esports is a growing product but seeing a huge name take part so regularly and in such big events is huge exposure. Despite Verstappen being in slightly different territory, for Rogers there's always something to learn.

"Obviously a series like that brings a lot of attention on us sim racers from that element of it because you bring in the requirement of bringing in drivers from the real world, which to be honest, has been fantastic, not only for the series or the sports, but also for us drivers too, because we can learn a few extra things."

"So all these elements definitely help us as drivers as well to, to progress. So it's certainly not a one way street. Like I say, I always try and just look at it as another competitor and you're out there racing, doesn't matter who you're racing against, but you know you're racing," Rogers added.

Rogers proved by taking pole position for the Virtual 24 Hours Le Mans that it was just another name and the Australian certainly didn't feel any pressure. 

"I don't necessarily feel like it adds any pressure. I mean, I've had my fair share of races with Max now over the past few years and you kind of like anyone else, you, look at them and kind of try and understand the way maybe they race. It helps you kind of formulate your attack in that sense of the word or defense."

The event drew criticism for connectivity issues something Rogers and his Porsche Coanda team experienced. "We did have a couple of disconnects. But, you know, ultimately, end of the day, that was the car that we were dealt or we could do is kind of go out there from that and try and do the best job we could and maximize after that."

Despite this, for Rogers the switch to a longer format of racing was a welcome one and it's a competition he's hoping to return to in the future. "It's it's a fun one. It's completely different to what we normally do on a daily basis. Often we focus a lot or in the past at least on on more sprint style races and adding the endurance element into it. Multiclass it's a different platform that helps kind of, I guess, build that skill on that platform and affect the team."

Going forward Josh has plenty to look forward to and has high aspirations. The ESL R1 Championship has the potential to shake up SIM Racing and Rogers has his eyes on the prize.

"I think it's difficult not to be excited about that, seeing where that could go in the future," the Aussie said on the new championship. 

"To win, that's obviously the main focus. You know, we are representing Porsche Coanda Esports, which is a team that's always been so focused on success. And we've had plenty of that in the past and will look to continue. And also representing a company like Porsche, one that has an illustrious career in motorsport, it doesn't matter where it is, whether it's GT racing, prototypes, at Le Mans, Daytona, it doesn't matter. Porsche has always been around that and we look to continue that in the virtual world," the Porsche Coanda racer added.